Funny First Grade Story of the Week

I've decided to post some of the funny things that happen in my classroom each week, because it's just too good not to share!

I have a jar of concerns in my classroom, so instead of students coming to tattle on other students, they can write the concern down, and only I will read them. I check it once a week or so. I had to keep one I read today, it was just too funny. It said, "(student's name) was using inappropriate language in class, like poop." Of course it was spelled differently, in the way only first grade invented spelling could be. But what first grader uses the word inappropriate?! Oh man, I laughed hard over that one! I'm sure I've said the word a few times, how a certain behavior is inappropriate. But I was super impressed that this student caught on to that and wrote it. Have I mentioned lately how much I love teaching first grade?!

Random Thoughts

I had my third surgery this past week, and I'm doing pretty well. I'm sore and I'm tired from going back to teaching today, but I'm hanging in there. No use complaining! It is what it is, and I'm just hoping this will solve the problem. It was nice to have some down time for a bit. I mainly just slept, watched lots of good movies and TV shows and read books. This time I asked to have a pain medication switch, Percocet made me super crazy. This time I took Loratab and it didn't make me send out crazy, emotional texts, like I've been known to send in the past.

I had this random thought today as I got home from work. This might not make sense, but stay with me for a bit. I thought about how I am all that I have. Truly. Yes, I have great friends and family in my life, but I can always and only depend fully on myself. I am with myself 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I will do my challenges alone, I will go through life with me. And I thought how I'm grateful for that, that I'm grateful I am who I am. I wouldn't want to be stuck with anyone else. I love who I am. It's taken me a long time to come to this, and the thought came out of nowhere today, but I really appreciate the person that I am. Of course I see so many awesome qualities in others that I admire, that I would love to develop in myself. And others bring out the best in me, and help me to challenge myself and grow. But overall, I love the person I have become. I love that I am a hard worker, that when I set my goal to do something, I am determined to complete it. I love that I graduated from college fast, and was able to find a teaching job that challenges me everyday. I love that I have allowed myself to change in my career, trying different grade levels, and constantly researching and learning new ways to be a better teacher for my students. I love the fact that I was honest with myself in taking a sabbatical and pursuing other things outside of teaching, that I followed my heart and soul and spent time in Colorado. I love the experiences and friends I made there that made me a better person coming back to Utah and teaching. I love that I am short, that I have naturally curly hair, little feet, blue eyes and strong calves. I love how I am so inspired by Sarah McLachlan's lyrics and melodies, how easily music speaks to me, and is the way that I bear truth and testimony. I love that I love reading good, uplifting books, that I challenge myself in growing in my spirituality, studying and reading about several religions and philosophies. I love how easily I love others, that I am a good listener and caring friend, that I am very dependable and would do anything to help anyone I love and care about. I love that I am a happy person, who doesn't depend on others for my happiness, that I allow myself to feel and experience my emotions but I don't let them define me or control me. I love my contagious laugh, and being around people who make me laugh so easily and often. I love that I love to run, sing, play the piano for hours at a time, and that I love my nieces and nephews more than I love anyone. I love the way that being with children makes me feel so at peace and in tune with who I am, how they bring out the best in me. I LOVE the people who I am so blessed to call friends. I have always had the greatest friends, and that continues to grow. I've always been surrounded by the most uplifting, positive, fun people. How can a girl go wrong when she's surrounded with the best?! I strongly believe that you can tell who a person is by who they call their friends. So you can tell who I am because of who I choose to associate with. I love the knowledge I have, and how I allow myself to keep learning and changing for the better.

My new motto this year, besides living in the moment, is that my life is good. This is a good, good life. There's nothing to complain about! When you're happy like a fool, let it take you over! When everything is out, you gotta take it in! This is my new favorite song. Definitely at the top of my running list. When I need a good boost or uplift, this song will be what changes that.

So there you have it, folks, my random thoughts as of now. This has gotta be a good life!

It's a Good Life!

For Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, I was able to go to Denver again! This time with my old Colorado roomie, Ellen. It was such a fun weekend with visiting friends, spending time downtown (I LOVE downtown Denver), letting off Sobe bombs, and visiting other sites. I had had a super crazy week before with Parent Teacher conferences, and I was having surgery the day after I got home, so I made it a stress free weekend, no work, no worries, just having fun. And that is what I did! Denver, you never fail to please my heart and soul. I have the greatest friends in Colorado, it's always so good to go back "home."

Ellen and I outside Babi-Yar Park, a park I've wanted to go to for a while. It's a memorial for the Ukraine Jews killed in the Holocaust. It had a walking path in the shape of the Star of David. It was very peaceful, and beautiful.

My favorite part of the Babi Yar Park was the tree section. It had this awesome quote in the middle of the trees: "Can we not learn from the trees? Each stands alone, yet flourishes in the benevolent shade of others." If you didn't know this about me, I'm a huge fan of trees, especially when they are alone. I thought this quote was so fitting to life!

I love the Children's section in the Denver Public Library. Ellen came up with the idea of Hil and me sitting in the little people chairs. See how easily I can fit my legs under the table but Hil can't? Hilarious! (She's almost a foot taller than me)

On the 13th step up to the Capitol Building, you are exactly one mile above sea level, hence the reason Denver is the Mile High City.

The old roomies! Me, Ellen, Jessica, and Hil in front of the Capitol.

I was proud of this picture I took at the Capitol. I wouldn't consider myself a photographer like all my sisters are, so this was a good moment for me.

Isn't the Capitol beautiful? It reminds me so much of the DC Capitol building.

Ellen, Jessica and I at the 16th Street Mall in Downtown Denver, one of my favorite places ever!

Becca and I on the drive to do Sobe bombs. Her bangs are so cute on her!

Ellen and I took advantage of free day at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Since it's January, there wasn't a lot blooming outside. But inside there were some gorgeous trees and flowers. I loved this purple one.

Ellen and I at the Denver temple. That temple saved me last year, several times!

So this picture doesn't do justice for what I was able to witness. Monday was Martin Luther King Jr. day, and Ellen and I were heading downtown to have lunch with Hilary and Becca. A lot of the streets were closed and we weren't sure why. Well, it turns out that there was a HUGE rally downtown to celebrate the day! The mayor spoke, and other people, as well as lots of booths and music. I've never been able to be part of something to celebrate the day, so I thought it was awesome that we came upon it!

My Running Journey

Running and I have a love/hate relationship. It really has changed my life the past three years since I started to have it be a more permanent part of my life. Since my first race 3 years ago, I have been able to participate in 5 5K races, 1 10K and 1 half marathon. But my ultimate goal has been to run a full marathon. And I decided this is the year to do it! Running in Colorado became a constant, consistent part of my life. Since moving back to Utah it's been pretty sparse since the half and having my surgery. But I started up again yesterday. Can I just say how much I miss my running path by my apartment in CO? I took advantage of that great Cherry Creek Trail as often as my little heart could. What I wouldn't give to have that trail here with me now. Or maybe what I wouldn't give to be back there...alone with my thoughts and fears, receiving clarity to the questions in my heart, coming to love who I am and the body I have that is able to do so much. But maybe I can have those same experiences here in Utah, on the treadmill while it's freezing outside, and off the treadmill when warmth comes back to us once again. Bring it on marathon, bring it on!

Man, I miss this trail so much today, I could cry!!

Posing before one of the 5K's.

Posing after the halfie with my awesome sister-in-law.

Posing before the Bolder Boulder 10K. I plan to run that every year. Anyone is free to join me, it's the funnest race you will ever do!!

My second 5K I participated in.